Safety throwoff



Dec. 7, 1943. c. D. WAGNER SAFETY THROW-OFF Fil ed July 2, 1941 2Sheets-Sheet 1 1943.. c; D. WAGNER 2,336,141

SAFETY THROW-OFF Filed Ju1y.2, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T g 4 40 44 6 v i42 P w /2 Patented Dec. 7, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY'THROWOFF Carl D. Wagner, Tulsa, Okla.

Application July 2, 1941, Serial No. 400,849

Claims.

The present invention relates to a power coupling device and moreparticularly to a safety coupling device for a power rod line in theoperation of oil well pumps.

As defined in my copending application, Serial No. 370,719, filedDecember 18, 1940, of which the present application is acontinuation-inpart, the present invention contemplates the provision ofa construction interposed within the surface rod line and preferablybetween a pumping jack and a source of power in order to permitactuation of the pump as well as selective controlled disposition of thepump and plunger with respect to the casing. It is desirable andnecessary in the present art therefore to provide a construction adaptedto permit controlled initiation and termination of the pumping action ormovement of the rod line toward and away from piunping position. Priordevices capable of operating properly under the severe stresses imposedin the operation of deep well pumps have been of the type presenting aserious danger to the operator in requiring hooks to be caught andmanipulated on the fly. While many improvements have been suggested,these in general have sacrificed load carrying capacity to such anextent as to seriously interfere with the practiforces and to resolvethe holding and drivingforces substantially on the axis of the rod line.

' A further object of the present invention contemplates the provisionof a throw-off device as above wherein the driving or force applyingmeans for connecting releasable parts is at the,- same time selectivelyreleasable, or operable to apply the driving and holding forcesdiametrically across the axis of the parts in such a manner as toaxially distribute the forces.

A yet more specific object of the invention in accordance with theforegoing is toprovide a throw-off device embodying holding keys which,while operative substantially throughout the lateral diametral extent ofthe driving members, is adapted to automatic release under predeterminedconditions for facilitating separation and enabling the well to beautomatically pulled into any desired pumpingposition.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a constructionas above eliminating all unnecessary parts and simplifying the unit inthe interests of compactness and portability.

Yet other and further objects will be apparent from the followingspecification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

, I through the clamp connecting with the rod line passing to the Well.

I and axially through the knock-off holding block and associatedelements.

Figurefi is a sectionaldetailed view taken on. the line 6-5 of Figure 5.

Referring now more particularly. to the drawings wherein one. preferredform of the invention is shown for purpose of illustrating theinvention, Figure 1 comprises a construction including a tail or holdingblock it] mounted upon a suitable fixed supporting base l2. drivingclamp it connected to a power rod line l6 and a connecting bar l8slidable through the tail block W are connected with a clamp 20 rigidwith a power rod line 22 passing to the Well or pumping jack. As shownmore particularly in Figures 2, 5 and 6, theholding block H1 is ofgenerally prismatic rectangular form having on its lower surface adownwardly projecting flange construction 2!! received within theconcrete base 52 which, it will be understood, is rigidly fixed orpositioned with respect to the ground. The block is additionally boredadjacent its four corners to receive hold-down bolts 26 and nuts 28,wherefore the block remains rigidly mounted in the position shown. Asclearly shown, the block,

comprises a longitudinalv bore 38 receiving the. control bar or sleeveIS in journalled relation. ship for axial longitudinal reciprocationtherein. In short, thesleeve orbar it? is receivedand constrained. inthe axially disposed location as shown in the drawings.

Means is provided for holding the bar against retrograde axial movementin one direction only and involves a recess 32 formed within the holdingblock I!) as shown clearly in Figures 1, 2, 5

and 6. Attention is particularly directed to the the diameter of thebearing aperture 30 as shown in Figure 6, whereby the rod I8 isadequately A power or In other words, the p,

recess provides an abutment surface or shoulder 35 verticallydiametrically disposed and having substantial abutment surfaces onopposite sides of the rod or sleeve l8 which preferably are disposed ina plane normal to the axis of the rod. 7

The power rod or sleeve l8 shown in the present embodiment comprises atube or sleeve, although it may equally as suitably comprise a solidbar, and is provided with axially disposed spaced slots or recesses 36extending diametrically therethrough for receiving the key or lookingmember 34 for example. To this end, therefore, each of the slots 3'6 hasa transverse width substantially equal to that of the recess 32 and inoperation the rod must normally be so disposed that the recesses orslots 36 and 32 align in substantially identical planes. It will benoted, moreover, that the slots 36 terminate in diametrally disposedabutment surfaces 38.

The key or removable locking member shown in Figures 2 and 4-6 inclusiveembodies a relatively flat plate member having a body portion 40 freelyreceivable within the slots or recesses 32 and 36 in coplanar relationand defined by opposite parallel marginal surfaces 42 which, it isevident from the foregoing, are adapted to coact with the abutmentsurfaces 35 and 38 hereinbefore described.

The key is normally pivotally hung from a pair of oppositely d sposedlaterally extending pins, trunnions or pintles 44 located on the key.The key is provided at its top with a manually manipulatable ring grip4B. The trunnions 44 are received within journal recesses provided byupstanding opposed lugs or journals 50 located on, the upper portion ofthe body section Hi. It will-be noted that the journal lugs 50 areoppositelydisposed on either lateral side of the recess 32 and thusoppositely embrace the key 34 in holding position. The trunnionreceiving recesses which open upwardly are defined by a verticalabutment wall 52 and by an inclined abutment wall 54 which divergeoutwardly for facilitating bodily removal of the key or locking memberfrom the association shown in Figures 1 and 4 to 6 inclusive. It isimportant to note that the vertical abutment surface which isparallelwith the holding abutment surfaces 35 of the block is disposedadjacent the open end of the recess 32 or is, in other words, disposedaway from the end of the block adjacent the.

pumping jack and it will be understood from the foregoing that thisconstruction facilitates permanent maintenance of interengagement of theparts in the desirable relationship as long as the members are utilizedto hold the bar H3 in fixed position.

The driving clamp fitting [4 comprises a tubusleeve having an enlargedouter portion 56 embracing the driving portion of the rod line l6 andsuitably welded or otherwise permanentlytremity of the driving sleeve I4are adapted to coact on key 34 with the oppositely disposed abutmentsurfaces provided by recesses 36 for effecting coaction of the drivingbar l8 and sleeve I 4.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact 7 that the reducedextremity of the driving sleeve 14 forms a journal bearing receiving theex-' tremity of the bar l8 for relative longitudinal movement. A cap 66on the left hand most xtremity of the bar or tube i8 provides a shouldershiftable within the tubular rod line I6 and effective to limitseparation of the parts. Thus, while the tube i8 may be adjustableselectively with respect to the driving sleeve I4 within wide limits,complete reaction therefrom is prevented by virtue of the cooperatingshoulders formed by the cap 65 and the inner extremity of the restrictedsection 58 of the driving sleeve.

The opposite extremity of the control bar I8 is provided with a clampingfitting for axially connecting the pum jack portion of the rod line withthe control bar l8 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. To this end, the fitting20 comprises a cylindrical portion 68 receiving the end of the member ispermanently preferably by welding; An axially extending flange l0integral with the sleeve 63 is recessed to receive the upper extremity'52 of rod line 22 and an opposed clamping member 74 with acomplementary recess oppositely embraces the rod line and is permanentlyheld in clamping relation by a pair of fastening means 55.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present simplifiedconstruction facilitates operation of the pump under complete controland in perfect safety to the operator. Thus, in normal operation, thered line section it is reciprocated through a predetermined pumpingstroke from any suitable source of power, carrying with it theintegrally associated driving sleeve !4. Removal of the left hand mostor driving key 34 as shown in Figure 1 permits the reciprocating partsto move relative to the control bar I 8 which remains fixed by virtue ofits engagement with the fixed block it). In other words, the weight ofthe sucker rods and associated mechanism, which in deep wells may be ofconsiderable magnitude, tends to draw the member l8 to the right asviewed in the figures, causing the abutment surfaces 38 of the slot tobear. against a vertically aligned surface 42 of the key and urge theopposed parallel surface of the key into abutting engagement with thediametrically disposed shoulders or abutment surfaces 35 of the block.In short, it will be apparent that the force tending to draw the memberl8 to the right is axially applied to the transversely extendingsurfaces 42 which forces are in turn applied to the reaction blockequally on opposite sides of the central axis of the bar [8. In short,the interlocking or holding forces are resolved in such a manner as toeliminate all lateral binding forces tending to create undesiredfrictional forces and upsetting torques, furthermore eliminating thetrunnions or pins 44 as a substantial factor in the holding action.Thus, substantially none of the locking forces are resolved in thevicinity of the holding pins 44, permitting instantaneous removal of key.34 as soon as the holding forces are released. At the same time, itwill be understood from the foregoing that the vertical abutment surfacecooperates to insure coplanar interengagement of the key with theabutment surfaces 35 and to frictionally prevent lateral removal of thekey during periods of hold ing engagement.

With a key 34 applied to th driving clamp M, the lateral margins thereofride over the un-' slotted portions of the driving sleeve l8 until therelative movement of the parts results in alignment of one of the slots36 at which time the key rotates about its pivots to drop thereinto, asshown with respect to the holding block l i] in Figures and 6, the keythen functioning in the same manner as heretofore described to interlockthe driving sleeve i4 and the bar I8 upon movement of sleeve it to theleft.

In accordance with the present invention, the keys in the respectiveslots have been so proportioned with respect to the normal path ofreciprocation of the driv line l8 as to cause a plurality of slots 36 topass the vicinity of the holding block. Accordingly, therefore, the key34 associated with the holding block tends to rise or pivot outwardly ofassociated slot 36 and slide 1 upon the unslotted surface of the memberl8 until the next successive slot is reached. This time the key 34 dropsinto the slot, preventing further retrograde movement of the driving key34, and performs a similar function resulting in stepwise advancement ofthe pump jack rod line to the left. This action is'caused to cease atany point by removal of either of the keys 34. Thus, removal of theholding. key results in cont nued reciprocation of the rod lin in apredetermined path for normal pumping.

In accordance with the present embodiment by way of illustration, theslots 36 may be prefer-. ably six inches long and, spaced six inchebetween adjacent axial margins, andkeys 34 may possess a lateraldimension of substantially three inches and have their trunnions sopositioned as to facilitate free rotational movement into and out of theslots. It will be understood, however, that the foregoing dimensions aremerely illustrative and that they may be varied within wide limits toproduce the foregoing function.

It will be apparent that the present invention provides a knock-offconstruction of extremes'implicity and compactness when considered incomparison with the material stresses it isad'apted to control, and itis evident that these advantages'are achieved by virtue of thealignmentof these stresses at all times upon a single central axis ofoperation. In short, it will be apparent that all of the operatingmembers adapted to control holding and driving stresses are diametrallydisposed with relation to the axis of the driving bar and these stressesare at all times resolved directly upon the central axis. Acoord ingly,therefore, lateral bracing and guides normally necessary to resistundesired torquesbecome unnecessary and resulting frictional stressesupon guide members are completely eliminated.

So also, the members or keys which perform the holding action arerelieved from all but shearing stress in order to eliminate allpossibility of failure and permit association and removal from operativeposition in complete safety to the operator. In many of the priorconstruction with to resolve the holding stresses laterally with re-'spect to the axis of the drive members, resulting in the application ofmaterial forces to limited portions of the holding members. Thesedevices have met with little success in the operation of wells ofsubstantial depth due to the possibility of failure and the resultanthazard to the operator. As the result, the extremely hazardous con-.structions requiring hooks to be manipulated on the fiy have continuedin use.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the specific structuralarrangement disclosed herein but is capable of other modifications andchanges without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

I claim:

1. A safety throw-off device comprising a connecting member, a linearlyreciprocable key receiving member adapted to be attached to a source ofpower for linearly reciprocating said member, a fixed key receivingmember, said connecting member being operatively associated with saidfixed key receiving member and projecting beyond aid fixed member onopposite sides thereof, the portion extending out on one side of saidfixed member being operatively associated with said linearlyreciprocating member and the por tion extending on the other side beingadapted.

to be attached to means for applying actuating force to a pump in a.well, said connecting mem-. her being reciprocable relative to both saidfixed member and said reciprooable key receiving mem-- .ceiving membersfor selectively preventing said connecting member from hifting relativeto said key receiving members in a direction such that. the place wheresaid connecting member is adapted to the attached to said means forsupplying actuating force is moved away from the key receiving memberwith respect to which said separately operable means is operated,saidseparately operable means for preventing shifting including a recessextending transversely of said connecting member, key means receivablein said key receiving members for pivotal movement thereon into and outof said'recess, and stop means on each of said key receiving means forlimiting the pivotal movement of said key means.

2. A safety throw-off device comprising a connecting member, a linearlyreciprocable key receiving member adapted to be attached to a source ofpower for linearly reciprocating said member, a fixedkey receivingmember, said con necting member extending through said fixed keyreceiving member and projecting beyond said fixed member on oppositesides thereof, theportion extending out on one side of said memher beingtelescopically receivedin said linearly reciprocating member and theportion extending on the other side being adapted to be attached tomeans for supplying actuating force to a pump in a well, said connectingmember being reciprocable relative to both said fixed member and saidreciprocable keyreceiving member a path aligned with the path ofmovement of said last named member, and means separately operable withrespect to either of said key receiving mom: connecting attached to saidmeans for supply actuating force is moved away from the key receivingmember with respect to which said separately operable means is operated,said separately operable means for preventing shifting including arecess extending transversely of said connecting member, key meansreceivable in said key receiving members for pivotal movement thereoninto and out of said recess, and stop means on each of said keyreceiving means for limiting the pivotal movement of said key means.

3. A safety throw-off device comprising a relatively long rod-likeconnecting member, a linearly reciprocable key receiving member adaptedto be attached to a source of power for linearly reciprocating saidmember, a fixed key receiving member, said connecting member extendingthrough said fixed key receiving member and projecting beyond said fixedmember on opposite sides thereof, the portion extending out on one sideof said fixed member being telescopically received in said linearlyreciprocating member and theportion extending on the other side beingadapted to be attached to means for supplying actuating force to a pumpin a well, said connecting member being reciprocable longitudinallyrelative to both said fixed member and said reciprocable key receivingmember in a path aligned with the path of movement of said last namedmember, and means separately operable with respect to either of said kereceiving members for selectively preventing said connecting member fromshifting relative to said key receiving members in a direction suchthat'the place where said connecting member is adapted to be attached tosaid means for supplying actuating force is moved away from the keyreceiving member with respect to which said separately operable means isoperated, said separately operable means for preventing shiftingincluding a plurality of spaced recesses extending transversely of saidconnecting member, key means receivable in said key receiving membersfor pivotal movement thereon into and out of said recess, and stop meanson each of said key receiving means for limiting the pivotal movement ofsaid key means.

4. A safety throw-off device comprising a relatively long rod-likeconnecting member, a linearly reciprocable key receiving member adaptedto be attached to a source of power for linearly reciprocating saidmember, a fixed key receiving member, said connecting member extendingthrough said fixed key receiving member and projecting beyond said fixedmember on opposite sides thereof, the portion extending out on one sideof said fixed member being, telescopically received in said linearlyreciprocating member and, the portion extending on the other'side beingadapted to be attached to means for supplying actuating force to a pumpin a well, said connecting member being reciprocable longitudinallyrelative to both said fixed member and said reciprocable key receivingmember in a path aligned with the path of movement of said last namedmember and the opening in said reciprocable key receiving member inwhich said connecting member is telescopically received having anenlarged portion providing an annular abutment adapted to be engaged bythe underside of portion formed on the end of said connecting memberextending therein provi-dingan operative connection between saidconnecting member and an enlarged separately operable with respect toeither of said key receiving members for selectively preventing saidconnecting member from shifting relative to said key receiving membersin a direction such that the place where said connecting member isadapted to be attached to said means for supplying actuating force ismoved away from the key receiving member with respect to which saidseparately operable means is operated, said separately operable meansfor preventing shiftin includ-' ing a plurality of spaced recessesextending transversely of said connecting member, key means receivablein said key receiving members for pivotal movement thereon into and outof said recess, and stop means on each of said key receiving means forlimiting the pivotal movement of said key means.

5. A safety throw-off device comprising a connecting member, a linearlyreciprocable key receiving member adapted to be attached to a source ofpower for linearly reciprocating said member, a fixed key receivingmember, said connecting member extending through said fixed keyreceiving member and projecting beyond said fixed member on oppositesides thereof, the portion extending out on one side of said fixedmember being telescopically received in said linearly reciprocatingmember and the portion extending on the other side being adapted to beattached to means for supplying actuating force to a pump in a well,said connecting member being reciprocable relative to both said fixedmember and said reciprocable key receiving member in a path aligned withthe path of movement of said last named member, and means separatelyoperable with respect to either of said key receiving members forselectively preventing said connecting member from shifting relative tosaid key receiving members in a direction such that the place where saidconnecting member is adapted to be attached to said means for supplyingactuating force is moved away from the key receiving member with respectto which said separately operable means is operated, said separatelyoperable means for preventing shifting insaid reciprocable key receivingmember, and means V eluding a plurality of spaced recesses extendingvertically through said connecting member, cooperating verticallyextending recesses in each of said key receiving members, key meansadapted to be supported on each of said key receiving members forpivotal movement about an axis positioned aboveand extendingtransversely of the path of reciprocation of said connecting member,said key means-pivoting on said axis in said recess in a key receivingmember and into and out of said recess in said connecting member; andsaid key means having a pair ofopposed parallel edges spaced apart in adirection perpendicular to the axis on which said key means pivots, andeach of said recesses in said key receiving means being positioned withrespect to the associated axis on which said key means pivots so thatthe end of the said recess remote from the enlarged end of theconnecting member is abutted by one of said parallel edges of said keymeans when the latter extends in said recess in said connecting memberwith said opposed parallel edges extending vertically, the other of saidparallel edges being adapted to be abutted by an end of one of saidrecesses in the connecting member,

' CARL D. WAGNER;

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. PatentNO. 2556,1141. December 7, 1915.

of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,first column, line 65, for "tubu-" read -tubu1ar--; page 5, secondcolumn,'l1n6 51, for "applying" read'--supplying--; and that. the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein. that thesame ma conform to the record of the case invthe Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of February, A. D. 1914A.

Leslie Frazer (seal) v Acting commissioner of Patents.

